Sausage-Apple Dutch Baby

Why fry sausage separately when you can cook it right into the pancake? That kind of ease is just one reason we love this sweet-and-savory Dutch baby pancake. The batter’s quick, and in the 15 minutes while it bakes, you can whip up the maple-glazed apple topping.

Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in this casserole, which gets a generous topping of blueberry or maple syrup. The recipe comes from Turkey Run Inn at Turkey Run State Park in east-central Indiana.

Patsy's Egg Casserole

A Midwest Living® editor credits her mother-in-law, Patsy, for creating this easy sausage-and-cheese brunch recipe, a popular food at family holiday gatherings. You can make it the day ahead and put it in the fridge overnight.

Darling Clementine Mocktail

No offense to the classic mimosa, but not everyone wants to booze with their brunch. Enter the Darling Clementine, a tart, fizzy, deliciously pink, nonalcoholic alternative to classic morning cocktails.

Mini Egg Pastries with Bearnaise Sauce

Guests at Cold Spring Inn in Hubertus, Wisconsin, enjoy these elegant brunch pastries with cinnamon rolls and fruit. The herby bearnaise sauce is a bit fussy to make compared to purchased hollandaise sauce, but you'll notice a real difference in flavor.

Maple Butter Twists

These breakfast rolls are a family tradition with Jean Haviland of Carroll, Iowa. "My mom made these rolls with a maple-cream filling every Christmas—and still does!" she says. "Mom always makes extra and freezes them for later. They're great for breakfast or any time of day!"

Melty mallows

For a party accent or Christmas Day treat, serve cocoa with marshmallow dippers in a festive mug.

Dip purchased or homemade large marshmallows into melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. To dress up your mug, wrap felt around it, cut out a notch for a buckle and use a mini candy cane as the clasp.

Goat Cheese, Artichoke and Smoked Ham Strata

This brunch recipe comes from Carol Mortensen of Flossmoor, Illinois. "My husband and I began hosting brunches in 1986. This goat cheese, artichoke and smoked ham strata became our favorite brunch dish," she says. "The best part is preparing it the night before to bake in the morning."

Creamy Butter-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

We can't resist a good sticky roll -- especially if it's this easy to make. Starting with frozen bread dough, we added brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans and chocolate chips. When you turn it out, it makes its own gooey topping.

Finnish Baked Pancakes

This recipe comes from the Poplar Creek Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais, Minnesota. The traditional big pancake has been adapted into a lighter version: puffed pancakes. Poplar Creek also serves up a delicious Stuffed French Toast, flavored with cream cheese, apricot preserves and pecans.

Classic Challah

Minnesota blogger Molly Yeh often twists her challahs into simple spirals. This recipe—adapted from her cookbook Molly on the Range ($32.50, Rodale)— makes four small loaves, perfect for freezing or sharing. (Slightly stale challah also makes dreamy French toast.)

Winter Wake-Up Muffins

Customize this breakfast staple with your choice of dried fruits or veggies. Add cranberries for a tangy holiday treat or zucchini for something savory. If you prefer scones to muffins, try our Fresh Cranberry Scones with a cream cheese spread.

Cream Cheese-Filled Breakfast Pancakes

Topped with fresh fruit and wrapped around a rich cream cheese filling, these crepelike pancakes add color and flavor to any special-occasion breakfast or brunch. The recipe comes from the Artists Colony Inn in Nashville, Indiana.

Potato Bacon Skillet

People love the sounds of food cooking in iron skillets. The irresistible combination of Cajun andouille sausage and bacon bump up the flavor of this home-style breakfast dish. A cast-iron skillet browns it best.